In a statement Rahall commended Dr. Dorothy Boorse with the Noah Alliance, who testified from her perspective as a scientist and an evangelical Christian. The Noah Alliance is a collaboration of faith groups recently organized to support endangered species protections.

     According to Dr. Boorse, "This broad, multi-faceted faith community chorus is being raised at both national and local levels. They are making materials available to congregations across the country, working to meet with policy leaders, talking with the media, and talking with each other. You can expect to hear from many people of faith as they witness with passion and resolve about the importance of protecting endangered species."

     Dr. Boorse is an associate professor of biology at Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts, a Christian four-year liberal arts college in the Protestant tradition. She has a B.S. in biology, an M.S. in entomology, and a Ph.D. in oceanography and limnology.

     Rahall said in his statement, "Dr. Boorse and I share the principle that humans should tread extremely cautiously when the fate of threatened or endangered species lies in our hands."

     In her testimony, Dr. Boorse stated, "I believe God has created the world for His own glory and given humans the task of caring for it. While we have the right to use its resources, this right is always in the context of our responsibility as stewards; the ownership of all remains in God’s hands."

     Rahall added, "Congress will likely debate provisions to amend the Endangered Species Act in the near future, and we must not take lightly our responsibility to care for God’s handiwork. Any efforts to amend the law should be undertaken with great care and reverence. Her message today, is therefore extremely important."

     Attached is Dr. Boorse’s full testimony.